Wine quality and berry size: a case study with Tempranillo Tinto progenies

Area of Science:

• Viticulture and Oenology
• Plant Genetics
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Small berry size is typically linked to wine quality, but the roles of grapevine variety and environment are not fully understood.
• Grapevine genotypes were classified into small (<13.5 mm, <1.5 g) and large (>16 mm, >2 g) berry size categories.
• Wines from these categories were analyzed over two vintages (2017, 2018) for chemical and sensory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the contribution of grapevine variety and environment to sensory wine quality based on berry size.
• To characterize chemical and sensory attributes of wines from small versus large berry genotypes.
• To assess the correlation between berry size, chemical composition, and perceived wine quality.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of grapevine genotypes based on berry diameter and weight.
• Chemical analysis of wines for phenolic compounds and color.
• Sensory evaluation of wines by 20 wine professionals across two vintages.

Main Results:

• Wines from small berry genotypes showed higher phenolic content, deeper color, and were rated higher in quality.
• Perceived wine quality correlated positively with anthocyanin and phenolic levels.
• Small berry wines were sweeter, fruitier, and more astringent; large berry wines were perceived as more alcoholic with lower aroma intensity.

Conclusions:

• Small berry size is a reliable predictor of high-quality wine, independent of genetic background and vintage.
• Berry size significantly impacts wine color and phenolic compounds more than genotype or environment.
• This research can guide the selection of grapevine genotypes to meet specific market demands for wine quality.